The Oliver 1600 Series A is a historical row-crop tractor that was manufactured in the early 1960s in Charles City, Iowa, USA. This versatile tractor came in various variants, including a tricycle front, standard-front axle, and extended ground clearance for different farming needs. It offered reliable power for plowing and other agricultural tasks with its range of engines, including diesel and gasoline options. The tractor featured a manual steering system, mechanical dry disc brakes, and an open operator station. It was designed to handle various farm implements and was known for its performance during its time. Today, it is a collector’s item, appreciated for its contribution to the agricultural industry of the era.
| Oliver 1600 Series A Specs |
|---|
| Model Year | 1962-1963 |
| Type | Row-Crop Tractor |
| Manufacturer | Oliver |
| Made in | Built in Charles City, Iowa, USA |
| Variants |
|---|
| Row-Crop | Tricycle front |
| Wheatland | Standard-front axle |
| High-Clearance | Extended ground clearance |
| Oliver 1600 Power |
|---|
| Gas Drawbar (claimed) | 51.5 hp (38.4 kW) |
| LP-gas Drawbar (claimed) | 47.5 hp (35.4 kW) |
| Gas PTO (claimed) | 60 hp (44.7 kW) |
| LP-gas PTO (claimed) | 56 hp (41.8 kW) |
| Plows | 4-5 |
| Drawbar (tested) | 47.09 hp (35.1 kW) |
| PTO (tested) | 57.95 hp (43.2 kW) |
| Engines variants |
|---|
| Waukesha-Oliver | 4.3L 6-cyl diesel |
| Waukesha-Oliver | 3.8L 6-cyl gasoline |
| Waukesha-Oliver | 3.8L 6-cyl LP gas |
| Waukesha-Oliver Diesel Engine |
|---|
| Type | 6-cylinder liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 265 ci (4.3 L) |
| Compression | 16.25:1 |
| Rated RPM | 1900 |
| Starter volts | 12 |
| Waukesha-Oliver Gasoline Engine |
|---|
| Type | 6-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 231 ci (3.8 L) |
| Compression | 8.5:1 |
| Rated RPM | 1900 |
| Starter volts | 12 |
| Waukesha-Oliver LP Gas Engine |
|---|
| Type | 6-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 231 ci (3.8 L) |
| Compression | 9:1 |
| Rated RPM | 1900 |
| Starter volts | 12 |
| Transmissions |
|---|
| Opt | 6-speed gear |
| Opt | 12-speed partial power shift |
| Transmission |
|---|
| Type | Gear |
| Gears | 6 forward and 2 reverse |
| Clutch | Dry disk |
| Transmission Type Hydra-Power |
|---|
| Gears | 12 forward and 4 reverse |
| Clutch | Dry disc |
| Note | Hydra-Power Drive adds a power shift between direct drive and the Hydra-Power range. |
| Mechanical |
|---|
| Drive | Two-wheel drive |
| Steering | Manual (power-assist optional) |
| Brakes | Differential mechanical dry disc brakes |
| Station | Open operator station. |
| Power Take-off (PTO) |
|---|
| Rear PTO | Independent |
| Rear RPM | 540/1000 |
| 1600 Serial Numbers |
|---|
| Location | Serial number plate on the instrument panel. |
| 1962 | 124-420 (A) |
| 1963 | 127-044 (A) |
| 1963 | 137-613 (B) |
| 1964 | 140-723 (B) |
| Final | 147-568 (B) |
| Oliver 1600 Tires |
|---|
| Ag front | 6.50-16 |
| Ag rear | 16.9-34 |
| Wheelbase | 105.6 inches (268 cm) |
| Operating weight | 7,400 lbs (3356 kg) |
| Ballasted weight | 11,020 lbs (4998 kg) |
| Nebraska Tractor Test 840 Diesel 12-speed 2WD |
|---|
| PTO performance | Power at rated engine speed 57.95 hp (43.2 kW) |
| Fuel use | 4.2 gal/hour (15.9 l/hour) |
| Drawbar performance | Max power 46.90 hp (35.0 kW) |
| Fuel use | 4.0 gal/hour (15.1 l/hour) |
| Nebraska Tractor Test 841 Gasoline 12-speed 2WD |
|---|
| PTO performance | Power at rated engine speed 56.50 hp (42.1 kW) |
| Fuel use | 5.4 gal/hour (20.4 l/hour) |
| Drawbar performance | Max power 47.09 hp (35.1 kW) |
| Fuel use | 5.2 gal/hour (19.7 l/hour) |
Oliver 1600 Series A overview
The Oliver 1600 Series A, a tractor model from the early 1960s, stands as a significant historical agricultural machine that reflects the technology of its time. In the context of today’s agricultural landscape, it serves as a valuable collector’s model, appreciated for its role in the evolution of farming equipment.
During its era, the Oliver 1600 was a versatile row-crop tractor, available in various configurations to cater to different farming needs. Its power came from engines that were available in both diesel and gasoline variants, showcasing the technological diversity of the time. These engines, including the Waukesha-Oliver 4.3L 6-cylinder diesel and the 3.8L 6-cylinder gasoline engine, provided reliable and robust performance for agricultural tasks.
The tractor featured a 6-speed gear transmission or a 12-speed partial power shift transmission, offering flexibility in handling various farm implements. The availability of power-assist steering was a notable advancement in its time, enhancing ease of use and maneuverability. Mechanical dry disc brakes and an open operator station were characteristic of the era’s tractor design.
The Oliver 1600 Series A, with its tricycle front, standard-front axle, and high-clearance options, showcased the adaptability required for different farming practices. It was a dependable workhorse for plowing and other farming activities, contributing to increased productivity on farms.
Today, collectors value the Oliver 1600 Series A for its historical significance and the role it played in the development of modern agriculture. Its availability in various configurations and the fact that it represents a transitional period in tractor technology make it a sought-after collector’s item. While it may not match the advanced features of contemporary tractors, it serves as a tangible reminder of the agricultural machinery that paved the way for the efficient farming practices we have today.
